FLIGHT LOG OF PILOT FLYING WOUNDED IN THE CAUCASUS

Fine content D.S., 2pp. 4to., [n.p., n.d., but Caucasus region ca. October 1942], the flight log of Radioman Oberfeldwebel Jakob Gross submitted to substantiate the application for the award of his Front Flight Clasp. The log shows 39 flights from the front, all carrying wounded and most interestingly, diminishing in length. The document is signed at the conclusion by an unknown officer. By the end of August 1942, the German army had captured most of Kuban. The 17th Army, proceeding further south to Tuapse, was stopped by Soviet troops, but the 1st Panzer Army continued to advance eastward, intending to seize the oilfields of Baku and Grozny. On the morning of September 2, with the help of air support and artillery, German troops began crossing the Terek River, overwhelming the few Soviet troops in the area and advanced another 12 kilometers south. Soviet command sent reinforcements forcing the enemy back, but with the support of the Viking Division, they captured several settlements by September 29. Nevertheless, they had suffered heavy losses and were unable to advance further. The advance towards Grozny was halted.